Discussions By Condition: I cannot get a diagnosis.

pwil

For the past 5-6 years I have complained of upper abdominal pain on my left side and despite numerous investigations have been diagnosed with possible IBS syndrome and a diverticular pocket. I agree IBS is no doubt one of my problems but I want to know if it is normal or sensible to ignore this pain around my left ribs when I live with it daily. Could it be the diverticular pouch causing this whinging pain. It is not muscular.

My doctor has prescribed probiotics which I take along with psyllium to improve the fibre content of my diet, but this pain has not improved and is worse at night and sometimes wakes me from sleep. I know I'm super sensitive to some foods, vitamins, vinegar, acid fruits, juice, alcohol and an excess of coffee. I also have severe arthritis which I believe is also diet related in my case. I've been tested for celiac and crohns and have had numerous colonoscopies and biopsies of my stomach and bowel. My last stomach biopsy revealed that the tips of the villi in my stomach was missing. Could this indicate something. I am also mildly lactose intolerant and drink lactose free milk (with the enzyme added).

10 years ago I was treated with Radioactive Iodine for an overactive thyriod and now take thyriod replacement daily. Could this be related or the cause of my stomach sensitivity. I'm concerned about stomach and bowel cancer as my mother died from bowel and rectum cancer. I worry that the doctors are missing something but am feeling like a hypochondriac. Any help would be appreciated.

1 Replies:

Go to an internist, board certified. Find a specialist, even if you have to go to a major city. Have you had a colonoscopy? Go to a doctor who finds the cause, doesn't give you medicine to hide the pain. I have similar pain, and was diagnosed with chest wall pain, kind of an inflammation in the ribcage. Then I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I don't think they know what they are talking about! It does sound like an inflammation problem, no? Find a good doctor who'll find the cause.